Helen's story

My name is Helen and I shop at the Dove House charity shop in Howden. I have been a regular since it opened and I love it, I can’t remember the shop ever not being there.

I buy the majority of my clothes from charity shops and have done for many years. Infact, I still clearly remember buying my very first charity shop garment, I was just 15 years old and I am 67 years old now. It was a wonderful woollen suit. Suddenly I discovered the world of reusable clothes and finding unique items for reasonable prices and I have never looked back. I loved vintage fashion back then and I still do now, I always look for something quirky.

I would say 100% of my clothes are from charity shops, it is very rare that I have to buy anything new. When you go into a charity shop you never know what you are going to find, it is exciting. For me it’s the thrill, I go in most days, and I still get excited when I buy something.
My main motivation for shopping in charity shops really is because I like to wear something that is unique and different, I don’t like to look like everyone else.

Secondly, I am buying clothes in a more sustainable way and that is something I feel really good about, proud infact. I always donate my clothes also and then it prevents going to landfill and giving clothes another lease of life.
What I love is that none of the clothes look like they come from a charity shop, they are great quality garments and because they are generally older they are much more unique and stand out which I love.
I’ll buy a garment that may have belonged to two or three people before me, how great is that and then when I have had enough of it, it will go back to the charity shop and onto someone else to find.

My most recent buys are a pair of 1970s inspired bright yellow jeans, flower power inspired which are incredible. I feel amazing when I wear them. I have also recently picked up an electric blue cropped denim jacket and received so many compliments about it. Oh, and then there was this really unusual retro looking ring with a purple enamel flower, very 70s that only cost me £2!

I like to support Dove House as it is our local hospice and by shopping in their shops, I get a little reward and I am doing some good. The shop in Howden is really nicely set out, it is very bright, welcoming and the staff are always lovely. I can honestly say it feels like you are shopping in a high-end boutique and there is such a community spirit. I feel proud to support such an incredible shop and cause.